Apparatus for the conversion of oils



-sheet 1 Feb. 13, 1923.

J. H. ADAMS APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF OILS 5 sheets Filed Sept. 50, 191.5

J. H. ADAMS APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF OILS Feb. 13, 1923.

Filed Sept 50, 1915 5 sheetssheet 2 INVENTOR.

Feb. 13, R923. 11,445,281 .1. H. ADAMS APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF OILS Filed Sept. 50, 1915 5 sheets-sheet 3 WITNESSES." llVl/E/VTOR Patented lFehllB, teas.

Matteo stares JOSEPH H. ADAMS, OF FLATBUSH, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO THE TEXAS COMPANY, OF

assa smear oeerce.

HOUSTON, TEXAS, A CORPORATION OF TEXAS.

APPARATUS FOR THE CONVERSION OF OILS.

Application filed September 30, 1915. Serial No. 53,377.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH H. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Flatbush, in the county of Kings and. State of New York, have invented a new and useful Apparatus for the Conversion of Oils, and of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to a modified and improved apparatus for converting liquids, fluids and oils, especially those of the hydrocarbon group into products of a lower specific gravity, for the purpose of obtaining from high boiling point hydro-carbons low boiling products suchas gasolene, naphtha, benzol, toluol and other low boiling prodnets of both the aliphatic and aromatic se- Iles.

One object of this invention is to produce a relatively simple and inexpensive means for applying intense heat, under easy control, to hydro-carbon oils while under pressure for the purpose of altering their physical and chemical character to a predetermined extent in order to produce by this means products in greater quantity than ob tained at present by the well known methods of fractional distillation or separation processes commonly employed in the art.

Another object in view is to secure simple andinexpensive parts and features which may be easily assembled into a complete organization or system capable of continuously converting hydro-carbon oils.

In order to more fully disclose this invention to those skilled in the art, drawings typical of the principal parts thereof, have been appended, and in such drawings like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views of which:

Fig. 1, is a sectional view partly in elevation, of an apparatus embodying horizontal converting tubes for the reception and operation upon oils and oily vapors forced into them, and which displays also the perforated ducts in which super-heated steam is conveyed and distributed into the body of oil contained within them.

Fig. 2. is a view partly in section of the liquid and vapor dome or separating tower, illustrating clearly the several advantages in its construction.

Fig. 3, is an enlarged section at one end of the series of oil and oily vapor converting tubes, showing the means of capping them,

and also the location of the super-heated steam pipes leading through the caps and pro ecting into the body of oil or oily vapors within the tubes.

Fig. 1, is a perspective view of a section of tubular cracking chambers arranged in the furnace walls and the relative position of pipe super-heaters for the steam, overlying the cracking chambers, and also a section of the brick checker-work in the body of the furnace, illustrating a method of heat conservation.

Fig. 5, is a perspective sectional view of one tubular converting chamber showing aremovable half circular pan for the collection of carbon and other solid residues and precipitates, and

Fig. 6, is a side and elevation view of column 56, showing its attachment at the bottom to the lower tier of chambers 10, and at its upper end to the compensating pipe. 61.

' T he reservoir tank, A.

Referring now to Fig. 1, the source of supply A, can be somewhat elevated above the principal apparatus, if so desired, to augment the flow of oil into the converter C, under the influence of pressure maintained over the surface of the oil, or, by means of pump 1, the oil may be delivered into the system under high pressure.

Original oil may be supplied to the tank A, through pipe 1, and the displaced air will pass out through pipe 2.

Pipe 2, may be connected with an air compressor, or high pressure pump, if desired, to maintain pressure over the surface of oil in tank A, to force it through pipes 3, 5 and 6, pipe coils 8 and 8 to the converter 0.

The oil We-heater, B.

any suitable type, but preferably comprises a continuously rising coil of pipe 8, contained within an enclosed receptacle 9, wherein overflow hot oil from dome D, may be continuously circulated through 20, and returned through pipe 21, to the supply tank A; also the pipe coil 8, can be connected with another coil 8, enclosed in stack 40, wherein the exhaust heat from the furnace C, may be utilized to further preheat the ingomg original untreated Oll.

The oil coiwerter, U.

The drawing shows one of the many forms of multiple tubular converters that may be employed in my process, and such converter comprises a series of heat resisting and enduring tubes 10, constructed to withstand high pressures and protracted intense temperatures, overlying a suitable furnace or otherfform of intense heater, the whole enclosed within substantially constructed heat resisting and enduring walls of refractory brick and having a tunnel or tunnels constructed of heat absorbing open jointed fire brick 50 for the conservation and radiation of high temperatures maintained in the furnace.

The tubular cracking chambers 10, are connected in series and constructed so that each overlying series of tubes will alternate with the spaces between those below them, so that the entire group of tubes may receive the greatest benefit from the furnace heat.

Oil leading in through the upper end of coil pipe 8', enters into the first chamber 10, of the lowest tier and leads out from the last chamber at the end of the top tier through pipe 24, and into the liquid and vapor separating dome D.

The tubular converting chambers 10, are connected by a pipe or neck 24. with the overlying enclosed expansion dome D, intended to contain both liquid and vapors. which is closed at the top by plug and cap 32, above the vapor outlet pipe 29.

The tubular converting chambers 10, may be provided with half circular portable pans made approximately the length of the converting chambers and fit close to and occupy a position at the bottom of the tubes, from which they may be withdrawn from time to time when required, as shown at 10', Fig. 5.

These pans are provided for the purpose of collecting free carbon and precipitate or scale which may be accumulated at the lower part of the tubular converters during the process of oil conversion.

These pans may be drawn away from the converters by removing the tube caps 10", Fig. 3, and when emptied of their solid contents may be replaced again for the further accumulation of solids during the process.

By this means, Ihave provided a simple method of removing such residues and other objectionable foreign matter and substances which may be cracked out or precipitated from hydro-carbons, and which, in their accumulation, form deterrent features in the apparatus during the conversion process.

fuel oil or gas furnishes the means of heat generation.

A pyrometer element 33, is arranged to extend through the wall of the furnace C, and another element 34, projects through the top of a converter tube 10, so that desired temperatures may be recorded, both of which are important features of this apparatus.

This feature of applying heat of intense temperatures to the exterior of the tubular cracking chambers, not too large in diameter, is of primary importance for thereby I am enabled to bring a relatively small body of oil or oily vapors into close proximity to a relatively large area of heating surface, which, in consequence, brings about the desirable intense heat application in order to rapidly convert the contained oil or oily vapors under the influence of high pressures maintained within the tubular converters 10, and dome D. The tubular converters 10 and dome D are in free communication with the condenser E, and through the connecting pipe 29, the desirable vapor pressure is maintained through out the system from the pump 4, at the source of supply, through to the end of or beyond the condensing coils 30, contained in the tank 31, of apparatus E by sealing the system at the supply end with the pump 4, and at the discharge ends by valves 36 in the pipe leading from tank 35, the valve in the gas outlet pipe 54 and the valves 15 in the pipe leading from tank 48; then the vapor pressure will build up as heat is applied to the oil undergoing treatment.

Preferably, the furnace is operated by fuel oil or gas, so that. the jet or jets 27, can be regulated to keep the furnace heat under complete control, as required; and while the form of heater may bechanged to conform to the different arrangements of tubular converting chambers. this form is well adapted for the economical use of gas and liquid fuels, especially in the oil and gas regions where the fuel cost is low.

\Vhen operating on oils and oily vapors for the purpose of converting them into lower boiling point hydro-carbons, inthe series of tubular converters, as described, I have alternated the spaces 1n each overlying set or layer of tubes, as more clearly shown in Fig. 4, in order that they may receive the benefit of the most intense heat when arranged as battles.

To protect the lower line or layer of tubes from the direct action of the fuel flame, I have arranged a bafile of fire brick checkers 50, in such a manner that the fuel projected through burner 27, will pass through the furnace opening and into a tunnel of open joint brick work and the intense heat radiating through and therefrom, will in turn produce the required cracking temperatures over the surfaces of the tubular cracking chambers.

As superheated steam is a feature in the process practiced by this apparatus, I have arranged the coils or lines of steam pipes at the top of the furnace, overlying the upper layer of converting tubes, as shown at 43.

The original supply of steam being admitted through pipe 42, into the super-heating pipes 43, is then driven into column or trap 44, from which it is forced in turn through principal valve 45 and valves 45, into the converting tubes 10, through perforated pipes 46.

In this manner I have conserved some of the otherwise waste heat from the furnace for superheating the required steam, and as the pipe coils are located at the top of the furnace, the steam receives the benefit of the highest temperature.

The perforated inlet steam pipes 46, are projected through the caps at one end of the tubular chambers 10, where they are properly sealed with glands or stuffing boxes 23, (Fig.

The liquid and eapor dome, D.

Inasmuch as the vapors rising through pipe 24, and filling the upper part of the dome D, may at any time be so rapidly evolved as to drive oil and oily vapors in unconverted form into the dome, I have placed a succession of liquid sheds or spreaders 25, within the enclosed dome or tower, to assist in the separation of the lighter and heavier vapors, and in the collection of liquid oil at the bottom of the dome.

Owing to the high temperature employed in the converting process and the consequent volatilization of heavier oily vapors of partially or wholly unconverted oils, the several overflow pipes 26, are provided at the lower part of the dome D. through which the liquid oil may pass off into trap or jacket l7, and be conveyed through pipe let, to tank 48. and be returned, if desired. to the supply apparatus A, for re-treatment as before, the pipes 26, project above the false bottom of dome D, for the purpose of causing a body of oil to be contained in the lower part of the trap 47.

the dome in order that the lighter vapors may escape either from the surface of such bodv of oil or have time to properly expand and escape while overflowing these tubes into The body of oil so contained is indicated by broken lines at the lower part of dome D, and surrounding the pipes 26.

A suitable sight glass gauge 49, is arranged on this dome D, for the inspection of oil level within the dome, and at the upper end of the dome a vapor. outlet pipe 29, leads to the condensing apparatus E.

As a further means for inspecting the oil levels within the tubular convertingchambers 10, I have arranged the gauge column 56. in a convenient location and connected the lower part of it with one of the tubular chambers of the bottom tier and the upper end takes into compensating pipe 61, as shown in Fig. 6, so that by means of the glass gauges 49, an operator can more readily observe oil levels than by employing the customary column of try-cocks.

As high pressures above that of the atmosphere are employed in this method of oil conversion, I am able to reduce the undesirable vaporization, without conversion, to a limited extent. and. as a consequence, the high boiling hydro-carbons are in a large proportion cracked and jotherwise converted in character without, however, transforming them into undesirable ,olefines and ethylenes which are offensive in odor and un-economical for commercial purposes.

In addition to the intense heat and high vapor pressure employed for the conversion of oils and oilyvapors, I may also use superheated steam forced into the body of oil and vapors through pipes 44 and 46, fromwhich it is projected into and mingled with oil and oily vapors near the cracking and heated surfaces of the tubular chambers.

Valves 45, or principal valve 45. regulate the supply of steam which is admitted in proportion to the amount of oxygen required to combine with a certain portion of carbon contained in the oil or oily vapors. which is cracked out, and also to add hydrogen to the oil converted distillates.

In this manner the product is freed from a portion of undesirable carbon and may assist in the production of saturated hydrocarbons dis-similar to the so-called cracked goods of the oil industry.

The condensing apparatus, E.

- gauges 51.

Oil withdrawn in this manner can be observed through the sight glass in trap 37 from which it passes by gravity through pi e 38, into collectingapparatusF.

ressure gauges, 28 and 52, record the vapor pressure within the system, and valve 53, relieves any sudden or unusual pressure above the p're-determined degree necessary to help in bringing about the desired convers1on.

Gases whichmay be produced in the conversion of oils or oily vapors by the operation of this apparatus and method, can be drawn eff through pipe 54, from time to time, or continuously, to relieve the gas pressure; in order to carry on the process with this apparatus under the required vapor pressure, and in the best manner adapted to render the best and greatest yield of products desired.

Collecting apparatus, F.

Distillates which are produced by conver-' sion and condensed in apparatus E, can be accumulated in a suitable containing device or tank 55, of apparatus F, into which they can flow from trap tank 35, through pipe 38, and be withdrawn from the tank by means of pump 41, and pipe 39.

' Mode of operation.

Having filled the reservoir tank A, with original oil to be converted, such as for example gas oil, then pie-determining the temperature and vapor pressure at which the apparatus is to be operated in order to convert the particular grade of oil in question, a temperature of 700 to 1000 F. and a pressure of 100 lbs. for example, the release valve 11, in pipe system 11-12, is set to a ressure "reater than the va or ressure re this oil delivery part of the system is re-- corded on gauge 13, which same is interposed in the piping system to the best advantage.

That portion of oil required for the con-- verting system is admitted through precision valves 7, and forced through pipe 6, to the coils 8, of pre heater apparatus B where itris heated by the overflow hot oil from dome D, conducted through pipes 26 and 14, to tank 48, and from which it is withdrawn under vapor pressure through valves 15, and delivered through sight box 16 and pipe 17, into the pre-heater tank 9,

of apparatus B.

The hot oil sosadmitted, overflows from tank 9, through pipe 18, to container 57,

from which it may be withdrawn through pipe and valve 19, and returned to tank A, by means of pump 20 and pipe 21, for retreatment as before, if required.

The water and sediment trap 22, is located at the foot of pipe 3, in the oil delivery system, so that any foreign matter may be caught and not forced through the convertlng apparatus.

Vent pipes 58 and 58, are provided in apparatus B, for the release of air and gases from the top of tanks 9 and 57 and vent 59, is arranged at the top of collecting tank 55, of apparatus F, to relieve air pres.

sure or vacuum.

As the oil is forced through valves 7, it continues throu h pipe 6', and into the lower part .of coil 8, in which it rises into coil 8', then flows into the lower tier of the converting chambers 10 and successively through the other tiers of chambers.

The vapors generated in these chambers 10, due to the intense furnace heat, create, a vapor pressure in the tubular part of the apparatus C, the dome D, and condenser systern E, also in trap tanks 48 and 35, below which are located precision and release valves 15 and 36, respectively.

The pressure so generated is maintained throughout the entire system from the pump 4, to the end of or beyond the condensing apparatus E by valves 36; and as this vapor pressure may be maintained at any number of pounds or atmospheres above that of the normal atmosphere, it is intended that the entire apparatus be made to withstand very high vapor pressures to assist in the conversion" of high boiling point hydro-carbon oils and oily vapors, as well as those of lower boiling points, to meet requirements and market conditions.

In the application of intense heat above that required only for the vaporization of the particular oil undergoing conversion, the oil and oily vapors contained within the chambers 10, and subjected to intense cracking heats under their own generated vapor pressure, become transformed and converted into products dis-similar to the original un- L l i-5,281

treated oils, the gas oil for example being and compensated with the upper partof dome D, by means of pipe 61, so as to avoid an undue pressure in the tank when the hot oil accumulates and rises therein.

Uil and oily vapors from the tubular converting chambers rise through pipe 24, into dome D, and the lighter vapors pass out at the top through pipe 29, to the condensing apparatus E.

The heavier vapors and such oil as may be mechanically carried over, flow downwardly in the dome and over the separator sheds 25, and reach the lower part of the dome, where the liquids overflow the top of stand pipes 26, and are conducted through trap 1-7 and pipe 14, to tank 48..

The sheds or Spreaders 25, are made fast to the pipe 24, and at their upper edges are perforated so that any very light vapors separated out while flowing over them may pass up'to pipe 29. v

A conical cap 60, is attached to the top of pipe 24, so that any oil or vapor suddenly spurted will be projected against its under side and caught before it can be driven over through pipe 29.

The light vapors of converted oil and oily vapors rising through the dome D, and flowing outwardly through pipe 29, enter the condensing coils 30, where, within the cold pipes, condensate is formed and the distillates may be collected under pressure in the trap tank 35, of the apparatus E.

Gases which are generated during the process of conversion in this apparatus, may be discharged through pipe 54, into a suitaable gas holder, after first passing through scrubbers or a gas compressor, for the purpose of obtaining any percentage of uncondensed low specific gravity liquids of conversion which in vapor form were too volatile to condense under ordinary conditions within apparatus E.

The products of this conversion system and method, may then be withdrawn from tank 85, through valves 36, and observed whenflowing through the sight in trap 37, from which pipe 38, leads them into tank 55, of apparatus F, and as required, the Oll or liquidmay be withdrawn fromthe tank through pipe and valve 39, by means of pump 41, and deliveredinto tanks for relining and finishing. I

As this form of apparatus designed for my process of liquid, fluid and oil conversion, is intended preferably to ope ate continuously, and as many changes could be made in the above construction and also many apparently widely different embodiments of this invention could be made without departing from the scope thereof; it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings, shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limited sense.

Apparatus of preferredform and construction has been illustrated and described for the purpose of showing a way in which this invention may be used, but the inventive thought upon which the application is based is broader than this illustrative embodiment thereof, and I therefore intend no limitations other than those imposed by the appended claims.

hat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling hydrocarbons comprising in combination a furnace, a series of substantially horizontal c 'acking chambers arranged in tiers and connected in series and extending through the walls of said furnace, removable closures for the ends of said chambers, longitudinally removable collecting pans fitting in said chambers at the bottom, perforated steam pipes entering said chambers through the ends and extending longitudinally above said pans, means for supplying superheated steam to said steam pipes, and means for continuously passing oil and all the vapors generated therefrom through said chambers in succession.

2. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling hydro carbons comprising in combination a furnace, a series of substantially horizontal cracking chambers connected in series and extending through the walls of said furnace, removable closures for the ends of said chambers, longitudinally removable collecting pans fitting in said chambers at the bottom, perforated steam pipes entering said chambers through the ends and extending longitudinally above said pans, a coil for super-heating steam in said furnace above said cracking chambers, means for supplying sul'ierheated steam from said coil to said steam pipes, and means for continuously passing oil and all of the vapors generated therefrom through said chambers in succession.

3. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling hydrocarbons comprising in combination a furnace, a series of substantially horizontal cracking chambers arranged in tiers and connected in series and extending through the walls of said furnace, removable closures for the ends of said chambers, longitudinally removable collecting pans fitting in said chambers at the bottom, perforated steam pipes entering said chambers through the ends and extending longitudinally above said pans, means for supplying superheated steam to said steam pipes, means for continuously supplying oil under pressure to the lower end of said series of chambers, means for drawing off the products at the upper end of the series and means for separating the converted vapors from the unconverted products so drawn'off.

4. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling hydrocarbons comprising in combination a furnace, a series of substantially horizontal cracking chambers arranged in tiers and connected in series and extending through the walls of said furnace, removable closures for the ends of said chambers, longitudinally removable collecting pans fitting in said chambers at the bottom, perforated steam pipes entering said chambers through the ends and extending longitudinally above said pans, means for supplying superheated steam to said steam pipes, means for continuously supplying oil under pressure to the lower end of said series of chambers, means for drawing off the products at the upper end of the series and means for separating the converted vapors from the unconverted products so drawn off, a condenser for said converted vapors in free and open communication through said cracking chambers and means for maintaining pressure in said apparatus to and through the condenser.

5. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling hydrocarbons comprising in combination a tubular crackin chamber of restricted cross section, means for continuously forcing oil through said chamber in a stream, means for heating said chamber to a cracking temperature, perforated steam pipes entering said chamber and extending along 1t at intervals between its inlet and outlet ends, means for supplying superheated steam to said perforated pipes, and means connected to the outlet end of said chamber for separating the converted products from the unconverted products and for condensing the converted products under substantially the same pressure as that in the converting chamber.

6. An apparatus for converting high boiling point hydrocarbons into lower boiling products comprising an elongated tubular converter of restricted cross section, means for continuously forcing a stream of oil through said converter under pressure, means for heating said converter to a cracking temperature, a condenser in free and open communication with said converter and means for maintaining substantially uniform vapor pressure in said apparatus to and through the condenser, and means for injecting small streams of superheated steam into said oil at numerous points in its passage from the inlet to the outlet of said converter.

7 An apparatus for converting high boiling point hydrocarbons into lower boiling products comprising an elongated tubular converter of restricted cross section, means for continuously forcing a stream of oil through said converter under pressure, means for heating said converter to.a cracking temperature, means for preheating the oil before entering said converter, means for injecting small streams of superheated steam into said oil at numerous points in its passage from the inlet to the outlet of said converter, means for separating the converted product from the unconverted prodnot leaving said converter, means for condensing the converted product, and means for maintaining vapor pressure throughout the system, including the condenser.

8. An apparatus of the class described for the conversion and transformation of high boiling hydrocarbons to low boiling products having the characteristics of gasoline, naphtha, benzol, toluol and other low boiling hydrocarbons comprising in combination an oil supply tank, a high temperature furnace, a plurality of substantially horizontal tubular cracking chambers within said furnace connected in series with their ends extending through the walls of said furnace, removable end closures for said chambers, longitudinally removable carbon collecting pans fitting in said chambers at the bottom, means for continuously supplying oil to said chambers from said tank under pressure and for passing it successively through said chambers in series, perforated steam pipes extending longitudinally in said chambers above said pans, means for supplying super-heated steam to said pipes, means for maintaining said chambers at a cracking temperature, means for conducting off and condensing vapors converted in said chambers, and means for maintaining a predetermined pressure above ing temperature, means for injecting small streams of superheated steam into said oil at numerous points in its passage from the inlet to the outlet of said converter, a separating dome connected with said outlet for separating the converted vapors from the unconverted product and a condenser for the converted vapors in free and open conirnunlcatlon with said converter through 

